Company Culture and Mad Men

The conclusion of the television series Mad Men was upon us.  As I was watching some past episodes and the final ones, it occurred to me that I was intrigued by the series for many reasons among them the glimpse of work culture from historical times.  There are certainly company culture practices that I would like to dismantle and others that I would encourage.

We witnessed unhealthy work competition and work alcoholics that would almost prefer to live at work.  We also watched some bold business maneuvers and leadership decisions that had to be made.  I would like to highlight some cultural practices that are still beneficial today:

• The Creative Lounge/Company Celebrations

I am always interested in ways to build community within and out of organizations.  Having a space where you can bring employees together to work together gets to the point.  Also holding celebrations and taking a moment to recognize accomplishments and milestones helps too.  This keeps folks motivated and can make they feel valued. 

• Taking Lunch

I feel like people don't step out to lunch anymore.  I used to make it a goal of mine to get out to lunch once a week.  This break can turn around a day for anyone.  I should strive for it two to three times a week.  Giving yourself rewards and taking a break can benefit your work.

• Leadership Development/Mentoring

Although it was very subtle in the series, the investment and development of two characters, Joan and Peggy was great to see.  Joan was certainly a fighter and knew what to ask for as Peggy learned and observed how to do so.  In other workplace environments, their leadership positions might not have existed.  Why not lift others as you climb the ladder of success? 

• Feedback

Although, feedback probably would not be the term, we have such a term now.  Employees were not afraid to engage in dialogue about their strengths and weaknesses.  Folks sought after feedback from those they wanted to hear from, whether it was about their individual performance and/or an approach to a work project.  Feedback helps you make decisions and set and/or revise goals. 

Moon cycles

Our connection to nature goes beyond what some of us may think.  For example, the moon and Sun are big influences in our lives.  If you experience the four seasons like we do in the northeast in the US, you know when the Sun disappears in the winter, your energy can be sluggish and/or depressed.  I know I don't feel as energetic as I do in the spring, when I am ready to spring into action. 

Before college, I learned how women's bodies are connected to the moon.  This is why I follow the moon phrases, particularly the full and new moons.  I receive comments that reference the Twilight movies and that is not what I am talking about.  I follow the moon because I know my body naturally does.  Women experience the moon phrases in a more obvious physical way than men do.  Don't feel left out though men.  You can admit that once a month you may feel sluggish, have cravings and be irritable.  We all have our cycles.

Just like the moon gets full every moon, we do too.  This a great time for reflection and cleansing.  The new moon is a great time for new beginnings, new ideas and initiating new projects.  For those of you who are ready to have a baby, they say that the best chance of physical fertility is when a woman is ovulating with the full moon phrase.  Others say that when a women menstruates with the full moon, her connection to her intuition is strong; leaving an opportunity for inner and self development. 

Either way, I do believe the moon affects us in many ways.  It affects our emotions.  I do notice things are a bit off during full moon.  We see a lot of interesting behavior.  It is a time of release and some of us struggle with how to do so.  All in all I find that my awareness of the moon phrases has allowed me to accept the fullness of my feminine nature, my body and my menstrual cycle. 

Letter to Educators

This is Teacher Appreciation Week; I hope you are doing something special for an educator(s).   Along side parenting, I believe teaching is one of the most challenging positions to have.  Thank you for being drawn to such responsibility of developing young and older minds and leading the future of this country to their rightful lives.  This week is not enough and it is a start. 

I am happy things are getting better for you.  Technology supports your mission and you know the basics that can back you up.  Thank you for getting to know not only students but their families too.  This assists students with their education by being aware of their circumstance.  The more we look at the whole student, the more successful everyone will be.  Thank you for taking the time with parents and guardians and sharing your point of view of our children.  It is hard sometimes to hear and we need to be open from both sides and grow the conversation for the seek of the children. 

Thank you for creating your own way and own system for tracking progress.  In a large education system, I know you do your best.  Thank you for teaching to the test and also for teaching what is best.  Thank you for the pre and post work.  The grading and the prep.  Thank you for figuring out how to teach large and small numbers of students.  Thank you for staying strong though changes and ups and downs.  Thank you for working within the school community with administrators, principals, nurses and social workers.  Thank you for working with interns and volunteers.  Thank you for bringing in interns and volunteers when you need to. 

Thank you for the strong structural base that drives your classroom management.  Educators, I am honored to support your work and work alongside you.  I know that things have gotten better and also that we still have work to do.  Thank you for your teaching commitment.  We appreciate all you do.  You inspire and are admired!  With much gratitude! 

Simply Positive

"Woke up an optimist, sun was shinin', I'm positive."-Kanye West from song FourFiveSeconds.  Optimism is certainly easier as the spring and summer seasons approach.  Seeing light reminds us of the light in ourselves and all around.  Deciding to be an optimist is a choice.  It is about wanting and attaching kind and gentle life lessons.  We make the choice of what to believe.  What you say goes, so why not say something positive and beneficial to all. 

I have always had a tendency for positivity.  It has made all of the difference in my life.  Whether it is being open to a smile of your own or others.  It has enabled me to learn from every situation, encouraging the life long learner in me.  Optimism is simply good for your health.  When you feel good and think good thoughts, good things happen and continue to be attached to you.  Smiling and laughing are contagious.  Being positive can be too.

Being positive can start with a smile.  It starts with what I call a proud, "yes."  This is when you are so confident and secure in answering yes to a question someone asks.  "Yes" can sound better than a no when you are so sure of it.  Of course when you are confident in a "no", that feels good too.

Welcoming more positivity in your life can begin with saying no to things/activities and people you know you do not need/nor want in your life.  Make room for more positive people in your life.  Avoid gossip and bad mouthing others and avoid spending too much chunks of time watching news.  News can be hazardous to your health.  Instead pick up a hobby, explore and enjoy!  As Eleanor Roosevelt shared, "Do one thing that scares you, everyday."  Let's warm up our thoughts like the weather. 

My artist date

I actually have been in the practice of artist dates for some time now. I just did not have the language. For me, artist dates are about exploring new things on my own. I like my company enough to go on solo expeditions. At times, I prefer to do so in order to experience myself fully without judgment of my emotions and other parts of myself that may come up. Some of my favorite artist dates are just simple movie dates.

"Creativity lies in paradox: serious art is born from serious play."-from the Artist's Way by Julia Cameron.  After reading both the Artist's Way and the Joy Diet by Matha Beck, making a conscious intention to integrate play regularly into my life is a mindful task.  On one of my artist's date, I went to a Sesame Street exhibit.  It was so much fun to see all of my favorite Sesame Street characters on display like Bert and Ernie, the Count and cookie monster.  I witnessed how Sesame Street is experienced all over the world and watched an episode from London.  You could even draw your own muppets.  It was nice to see that I was not the only adult enjoying myself.  There were other adults there that were childless at the time. 

So artist dates are described as assigned play once a week where you explore something that interests you.  As Julia Cameron describes it, "The Artist Date need not be overtly "artistic"-think mischief more than mastery."  It is about encouraging creativity and imagination and refilling your creative well. For me this allows for play, inspiration and regeneration.  Everyone needs all of these elements in their lives.  On the Artist's Way blog there is a list of 101 ideas of how to spend an artist date.  I encourage you to google it, if you are interested in starting the practice. 

Another creative method assigned in the Artist's Way are the morning pages.  I definitely engage in the morning pages, my blog is a direct result of such.  For me, this is my dedicated time to writing.  Spending some time on your own to reflect and have fun is good for your health.  How are you spending some personal quality time?  How are you regularly renergizing yourself? 

Just smile

It is a joy to realize how much Mother Teresa spoke of smiling.  She has been quoted saying,"We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do," one of my favorite quotes.  A smile does a lot for me, I can only imagine how it may uplift others.  Mother Teresa has left us with other quotes like, "Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person; a beautiful thing."

In honor of National Poetry Month, the following is a poem I have written about smiling:

Smiley

For all those who have called me Smiley and have asked why I smile-

I smile

For the life

For the breathe

For waking up

For what’s next

I smile

For the joy within my heart

For the love I receive

For the love I see

I smile

For those who can’t

Because of fear

Because of noise

Because of peer

I smile

For the moment

In full presence

For the memories I love

and let go

I smile

For the power

For its truth

To reach every

Cell and particle

With this truth

I smile

For the joy

For the beauty

For the world to enjoy

I smile

For the child

For the pure

For the cure

I smile

For those who hurt

For those who forget love

For those who need a hug

I smile

To attract another smile

To attract love

I smile

Because I feel

The world smiling back at me

Don’t you see?

By Clarissa Mendez

Defining Success

Defining success continues to evolve for me and also depends on the particular situation. Overall, nowadays, my definition of success moves between putting myself first in a healthy way and being happy. I know what is important to me in being successful; my happiness, kindness, creativity and community. Just like much of anything else, we need to define things solely for ourselves and see what works for us best. As you continue to update your values and priorities, different definitions should come easier and with clarity.

I remember growing up, the standard of success was a version of the American dream. I say a version of the American dream because my version came from growing up in an apartment not a house. It was about getting to college and then getting a good job. It did make me wonder was this all there was to life. Going to school then getting a job? This motivated my study of entrepreneurship and I proposed this as a solution, if you don't get a job, you start a business.

I was very fortunate to attend a junior high school that did not believe in grades instead we got long written evaluations from each teacher. It showed me how you can invest in individuals and their development. The feedback I received was priceless and perhaps this was the beginning of my value of giving and receiving feedback. How do grades really measure your success in school? Perhaps this experience also taught me the value in defining things for myself too.

As I have been engaged in the Oprah and Deepak Chopra's 21 day meditation challenge of manifesting true success, I now have my eye on incorporating 7 ways to use time in my life; sleep time, physical time, focus time, time in, time out, connecting time, and play time. I believe these time dedications will continue to push my success and how I measure it. Sleep time refers to getting a good night's rest. Focus time, is about giving your brain the security of concentration, a moment alone to concentrate on what you need to and what matters to you. Time in is about reflection and listening within, time out is about just being. Physical time is about letting your body be active and move; play time, time dedicated to being carefree, and finally connecting time is about connecting deeply with another person.

Time can certainly be a measure of success. It allows you to set realistic deadlines for goals. As Maya Angelou stated, "All great achievements require time." These 7 time dedications introduced by Dr. Daniel J. Siegel of the Mindsight Institute can help me make the most of my time. The time blogging allows for play time, connecting time and time in. I hope you are making the most of your time here; being the driver of your life and your achievements. Now that this is done, I will focus on some time out.